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Wind Surf making the last cruise call of the season to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2016Photo: Matt O’Brien

The Dun Laoghaire waterfront environmental protection group “Save our Seafront” last night posted (below) of successful progress in the latest legal proceedings against the installation of a large cruise liner berth in Dun Laoghaire Harbour writes W M Nixon

The full ramification of this decision are still being fully analysed. But initial opinions suggest that this is indeed good news for those who hope to see Dun Laoghaire maintained and respected as a unique amenity which takes full account of its magnificent setting and exceptional history.

• Save our Seafront today won its legal action against the decision to grant planning permission for the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Terminal. Had it proceeded, the planning application by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company which was granted by An Bórd Pleanála would have allowed the construction of a giant cruise berth in the middle of Dun Laoghaire’s historic harbout and the mooring of large numbers of super-sized cruise ships during the summer season.

• Save Our Seafront's case before the Commercial Court was that, contrary to the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the environmental effects of the proposed development had not been assessed. In particular, the case argued that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and the Bórd had failed to take into account the environmental impacts of the proposed development on protected species such as otters, whales, porpoises, and birds and recreational users (including those who use the pier for walking). Save Our Seafront also argued that the proposed development would lead to the dumping of toxic sludge in Dublin Bay and neighbouring Special Areas of Conservation and that the cruise ships would discharge waste directly into the Bay

• Commenting on the victory Richard Boyd Barrett, chair of Save Our Seafront said "This is a crucial victory for the future of Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour and all who enjoy these unique and wonderful amenities. Hopefully this victory will finally convince the Harbour Company about the unsuitability of bringing enormous cruise ships into the harbour or promoting inappropriate developments that would destroy it as a public amenity and a precious piece of our marine heritage. We hope that common sense will prevail and that the harbour can be developed for the benefit of all users in sympathy with, rather than destructive of, the natural beauty of Dublin Bay and Dún Laoghaire harbour.

• I would like to sincerely thank Fred Logue of FP Logue Solicitors, David Conlan Smyth SC, and John Kenny BL for their excellent work on this case. I would also like to thank all of the supporters of Save Our Seafront, the sailing community, and the general public, who have supported us in this endeavour and without whom this victory would not have been acheived. We now need to look forward positively to developing our harbour as a public amenity for all, that will contribute to enhancing this wonderful town that we live in.”

• The case will return to the Commercial Court after Easter for the Court to make final orders”

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